32 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE, 
the sides, and covered with uniformly-sized scales; color, orange 
on back, with a few intensely black spots, fading to lighter on 
the sides, and white on the abdomen, very glossy or shining, 
but without metallic lustre; head small; lips not prominent 
and no barbles; eyes large and of a golden hue; dorsal fin 
short and far back; tail deeply forked; abdominai fins small; 
all fins, including the tail, rounded at the ends, pinkish at the 
roots and tinted vermilion in centre. Young specimens resem- 
ble, the color excepted, our American shiner. It attains a length 
of 24 inches. 
The orphe is a very quick-motioned, restless fish, and when 
kept in an aquarium this must be covered, otherwise it will 
leap out. It will not, for this reason, answer for a collection 
that is to produce a quiet, restful picture, while it is just the 
fish for children or young people. It is very voracious, seeking 
its food, which consists of small fish, tadpoles, insects and 
small water-plants, in mid-water or near the surface, and it is 
for that reason a desirable fish for a small lake or a fountain 
basin. It is always visible, and it does not muddy the water 
by rooting up the bottom in search for food, as does the carp. 
The young, when first hatched, are creamy-yellow in color, 
with the tops of their heads black; they swim in schools near 
the surface of the water like minnows do. 
During the middle ages the golden orphe was cultivated in 
the moats that surrounded the castles. They served as an ad- 
junct to the guards because they are a very knowing fish, 
always on the alert, and by their actions give warning of ap- 
proaching danger. They were considered an aristocratic mor- 
sel, and were exclusively served to the lady of the castle; 
hence their surname “ Lady fish.” 
